A/N: Well hello! Very long time since I went dark in terms of my writing, man it's had to have been years. I just wanted to say hello since I am back and figured since I'm using my writing and stories as a creative outlet for emotions, thoughts and curiosity I figure I may as well post it and see if others like the idea I'm running with in terms of the Naruto narrative and universe. As I am just free flow writing and really don't have a clear story line and also am busy outside of writing, please understand there may be long gaps in chapter uploads.

Oh also fair and very important one time warning here. I will not make this fic edgy and dark for the sake of being so but this story at times is going to delve into very serious and complex topics along with adult and graphic subject matter, this is the first and only warning. If you wish to stay and read, thank you. If not I understand and hope you find the fic for you.

On a darkened night amongst the forest that surrounds sits a village, one of prestige and purpose, this being the village of Konohagakure. One of the five great Ninja villages that stand atop the pedestal of the Five Great Nations.

While many great stories are told of this village, from the Great Beast that nearly toppled it to the many famous figures who have lived and died from within its walls, our story does not start with either of those themes but contains both none the less, no our story starts as so.

- Location and Time, Unknown -

In a darkened smoky room two decrepit old men sit seemingly alone. Their faces cast shadows from the flickering torches that line the room, the only other light being a dull glow from the chakra laced kanji, indicative of sealing jutsu.

Sitting at a low table is a man with a pipe lit that alights his silver spikes of aged hair and sorrowful features with each slow drag, the other cast in shadow save for the occasional flicker of torch light and dull chakra light.

"How unfortunate that we come to meet like this, my old friend." The wizened one speaks raspy after a particularly long drag. A soft breath, long and slow releases from the shadow cloaked man. "Indeed, but it must be done. The past 24 hours..." The man pauses for a brief moment, searching for the right words "...have been unfortuitous."

"Indeed they have, we are weakened...First the Uchiha, now this...drastic measures will need to be taken, we must ensure the survival of the village." The wizened man states calmly.

He pauses to take a draw of his pipe, he continues "With our forces in the state they are in, as much as it displeases me, I am authorizing the commencement of Operation: Ocean Blue. However, you know my terms for agreeing to this. See to it that they are upheld and met. I do not need to state the consequences for failure."

A smile grim but resolved overtakes the shadowed man's face as if happy but not for the right reasons, only barely seen in the flickering torch light. "I do Hiruzen." The man states "I propose that the curriculum be updated. I can handle the implementation of the updates should you desire."

The man now known as Hiruzen, and better known to the populace as the Third Hokage quickly and sharply nods, nearly unperceived and registers no more than a twitch. The shadowed man quickly cuts in "For the glory of the Great Tree and the blooming of the Leaves" he says.

"Indeed, May the Great Tree and Leaves prosper through the Seasons...I shall call the council to discuss the events of tonight." Hiruzen says in reply and with the parting words of the aged Hokage both the men vanish, the torches and chakra distinguishing with barely a whisper.

As Hiruzen settles back into the heavily weathered leather chair that sits amongst the Hokage's office, the moon shines through the large windows that overlooks the village.

A shadow slips from the rafters and places a stack of small heavily sealed scrolls in front of the aged tired man with a dull thump of parchment hitting wood, to which the Hokage nods once to which the ANBU member now basked in the moonlight nods back. No words needing to pass between them.

The ANBU slinks back into the shadows to carry out their next assigned duty as the Hokage sighs wearily and opens the first scroll labeled "Classified: SSS RANK - Operation: Sacred Sprout" not for the first time wondering if the ends truly justified the means and what had occurred in the previous nights escapades.

- Konohagakure no Sato, Hyuuga District - 20 hours previously - Dead of Night -

A child sits in a dingy shack on the corner of the Hyuuga estate, dressed in the traditional garb of a male branch member. Gathered around by the other older more mature members of the Hyuuga branch house, faces as resolved and cold as stone.

For years they have planned and waited, watched and hoped that when the time came fate would be on their side, tonight all of that planning, waiting and hoping had come to this. One night. One opportunity to free themselves.

The child speaks, barely a whisper and still possesses the lightness accompanied by youth but touched and tinged with deep trauma.

Deep, cold, and resolved, the sound more befitting of a tenured warrior than the youthful face it emits from "For too long has those who've sat above us lorded their power, treated us like dogs. Cast aside as no more than pawns and bodies to the wolves of these forests."

The boy pauses as memories flash through his mind of loving parents, one now dead. The other no more full of life than her husband, a glimmer of insanity now gracing his features. "My father, when the cowards of the Lightning attempted to kidnap their precious heir, was sacrificed..."

The boy's voice dips lower, "...to save the skin of those above, I know you all have similar stories. Each branch member has suffered under the gaze of their all seeing eye. As if it were more respected than our own.

"Well no more, tonight...tonight they shall pay. For my Father and Mother, for all those who have suffered under the Main branch of the Hyuuga. Tonight and forever we shall all be free from our cages, and from which a new clan shall be born. The clan of the Uncaged Dove!"

The boy's eyes scan those surrounding him, a sea of determination and growing unrest and blood lust he addresses them once more "You all have your targets and seals. Go, break your cages and fly free!" Each member nodding once and quietly fanned out from the shack and making their way throughout the district to the large opulent mansions in which the Head Family and Elders lived.

As the night grew still and the branch members made their way towards their designated places, seals awaiting charka to not only lock the occupants inside but to set a blaze. Their hands grew steady and their resolve settled, knowing that after tonight nothing would be the same. Each knowing that this act, this rebirth of the Hyuuga clan into something greater would pave their, and by extension Konoha's future for decades to come with a final moment they activated the tags and watched as the Head branches' homes were sealed and set ablaze.

Hiashi awoke, his instincts on high alert, something felt wrong. Pulling on his decades of combat experience and wisdom as a wizened shinobi having lived and fought for his life. As he lay still searching for a sign of an assassin but finding none he quickly activated the Byakugan quickly absorbing the pulses of chakra from the building surrounding him and the smell of ash and smoke now filtering into the air and his nose.

As he focused more into the surroundings, his body moving on instinct, the sight of the clansmen that surrounded his home must have numbered 100 or more. Men, Women, and Children all branch members as denoted by their marked foreheads. There at the center of his entryway, kneeling, hands held in the familiar sign he used in his combat days, was the chakra of one young child, Neji.

A/N: So I know this first chapter is short, my excuse is that these first few chapters are prologue and set up and it's been years since I've written anything and my past writings were never that long either but as things progress I hope to be able to re-write and make my chapters better. Not exactly happy with the way the chapter started but overall I think it's okay. As you can tell I have deviated from the original telling rather significantly but I think it may be better this way. Also to those of you who follow me and got the multiple notifications, apologies this site has a learning curve to uploading so I uploaded the wrong chapter a few times lol. Anyway, I thank you for taking the time to read and any constructive comments would be much appreciated. Until next time!